Writing in the Biological Sciences A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication

Practical and easy to use, Writing in the Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication, Third Edition, presents students with all of the techniques and information they need to communicate their scientific ideas, insights, and discoveries. Angelika H. Hofmann introduces students to the underlying principles and guidelines of professional scientific writing and then teaches them how to apply these methods when composing essential forms of scientific writing and communication. Ideal as a free-standing textbook for courses on writing in the biological sciences or as reference guide in laboratories, this indispensable handbook gives students the tools they need to succeed in their undergraduate science careers and beyond.

Angelika H. Hofmann is Deputy Director for Science and International Initiatives at Yale University. She holds a Ph.D. in molecular biology and biochemistry. Renowned in the field of scientific writing, she also heads "SciWri Services," a venture that provides workshops and editing and consulting services for scholars and scientists around the world.

Foreword
Preface

PART I. SCIENTIFIC WRITING BASICS
Chapter 1. Science and Scientific Communication
1.1 The Scientific Method and Communication
1.2 Necessary Technical Skills
1.3 Scientific Writing versus Science Writing
1.4 Scientific Communication and Ethics
1.5 Readers and Writers
Summary

Chapter 2. Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part I--Style
2.1 Individual Words and Word Location
2.2 Sentences and Technical Style
Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part I--Style
Problems

Chapter 3. Fundamentals of Scientific Writing, Part II--Composition
3.1 Paragraph Flow
3.2 Paragraph Construction and Organization
3.3 Condensing
Summary of Basic Writing Rules, Part II--Compositions
Problems


PART II. WORKING WITH REFERENCES AND DATA
Chapter 4. Literature Sources
4.1 Searching the Literature
4.2 Source Material
4.3 Citing References
4.4 Common Reference
4.5 Managing Sources
4.6 Plagiarism and Taking Notes
Summary
Problems

Chapter 5. Basics of Statistical Analysis
5.1 General Guidelines
5.2 Basic Statistical Terminology
5.3 Distribution Curves
5.4 Statistical Analysis of Data
5.5 Reporting Statistics
5.6 Graphical Representation
5.7 Useful Resources for Statistical Analysis
5.8 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 6. Notebooks, Data, Figures, and Tables
6.1 Keeping a Laboratory Notebook
6.2 From Notebook Entries to Presenting Data
6.3 Figures, Their Legends, and Their Titles
6.4 Tables and Their Titles
6.5 Software Resources for Figures and Tables
6.6 Checklist
Summary
Problems


PART III. INTRODUCTORY WRITING
Chapter 7. Laboratory Reports and Research Papers
7.1 General Purpose
7.2 The Big Picture
7.3 Before You Get Started
7.4 Components and Format
7.5 Title and Title Page
7.6 Abstract
7.7 Introduction
7.8 Materials and Methods
7.9 Results
7.10 Discussion
7.11 References
7.12 Acknowledgments
7.13 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 8. Revising and Editing
8.1 General Advice
8.2 Revising the First Draft
8.3 Revising Subsequent Drafts
8.4 Checklist for Revising
8.5 Editing Someone Else's Manuscript
8.6 Checklist for Editing Someone Else's Manuscript
8.7 Submission and the Review Process
Summary
Problems

Chapter 9. Sample Reports
9.1 General Overview
9.2 Sample Weekly Lab Report
9.3 Sample Project Paper

Chapter 10. Reading, Summarizing, and Critiquing a Scientific Research Article
10.1 Content of a Scientific Research Article
10.2 Reading a Research Paper
10.3 Writing a Summary of a Research Paper
10.4 Critiquing a Research Paper
10.5 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 11. Term Papers and Review Articles
11.1 Purpose of Reviews
11.2 Deciding on the Topic
11.3 Format
11.4 Title
11.5 Abstract
11.6 Introduction
11.7 Main Analysis Section
11.8 Conclusion
11.9 References
11.10 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 12. Note Taking and Essay Exams
12.1 General Overview
12.2 Effective Note Taking
12.3 Preparing for an Essay Exam
12.4 Answering an Essay Question
12.5 Time Management Tips
12.6 Checklist
Summary


PART IV. ADVANCED SCIENTIFIC DOCUMENTS AND PRESENTATIONS
Chapter 13. Oral Presentations
13.1 Format of a Scientific Talk
13.2 Preparing for a Talk
13.3 Delivery of a Talk
13.4 Question and Answer Period
13.5 Useful Resources
13.6 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 14. Posters
14.1 Components and Format of a Poster
14.2 Preparing a Poster
14.3 Presenting a Poster
14.4 Useful Resources
14.5 Complete Sample Poster
14.6 Checklist for a Poster
Summary
Problems

Chapter 15. Research Proposals
15.1 General Overview
15.2 Components and Format
15.3 Abstract
15.4 Specific Aims
15.5 Background
15.6 Research Design
15.7 Impact and Significance
15.8 Additional Proposal Components
15.9 Checklist
Summary
Problems

Chapter 16. Job Applications
16.1 Curricula Vitae (CVs) and Résumés
16.2 Cover Letters
16.3 Personal Statements
16.4 The Hiring Process and Interview
16.5 Letters of Recommendation
16.6 Checklist for a Job Application
Summary
Problems

Appendix A: Commonly Confused and Misused Words
Appendix B: MS Word Basics and Top 20 MS Word Tips
Appendix C: Excel Basics and Top 20 Excel Tips
Appendix D: PowerPoint Basics and Top 20 PowerPoint Tips
Appendix E: MS Office Cheat Sheet

Answers to Problems
Glossary of English Grammar Terms
Bibliography
Credits
Index